More Articles

E. Gordon Gee might not be in the daily spotlight since retiring as president of Ohio State
University this summer. But he can’t help stealing the show.

When Gov. John Kasich told a crowd at Columbus State Community College on Monday that he’d like
to change the name of the state’s higher-education chancellor, Gee responded, “I came up with El
Magnifico.”

Kasich shot back, “That’s the name you gave yourself.” And Gee replied, “That’s the reason I’m
no longer president of Ohio State,” drawing thunderous laughter.

A few minutes later, someone asked Gee how he intended to work with his counterparts in primary
and secondary education to come up with ways to make college more affordable and relevant.

“We love K-12 so much we want to take you guys over. Just kidding.”

To that, Kasich said, “There he goes again.”

No longer OSU’s top leader, Gee joked, “Now I have my First Amendment rights back.”

• • •

During a school-board meeting last week, Columbus City Schools Treasurer Penny Rucker delivered
her usually less-than-exciting five-year financial forecast, which she must update every six
months.

Rucker spent about 20 minutes showing slides, discussing the state’s budget, noting that state
aid and local tax collections were up, and repeating a number of times that budget cuts will be
needed next year whether a levy passes or not.

“You say, ‘What happened? What is different in the five-year forecast since May?’” Rucker said
during the presentation. “What happened since May?”

Here’s what happened: The district had an additional $70 million that sent the outlook from a
deficit to a surplus at a time when the district is asking for a levy.

But Rucker failed to mention that.

• • •

South-Western teachers have been working more than three months on an expired contract.
Officials won’t say how contract talks are going, but teachers’ actions speak louder than
words.

On Monday, teachers walked into their buildings together to begin school at their contractual
start times. They plan to leave the buildings together on Friday at their contractual end
times.

The union and school board met with a federal mediator on Monday and have another bargaining
session scheduled for Friday.

South-Western Education Association President Rolla Beach said the union has not yet taken any “
work to rule” action, meaning they would follow their contract to the letter.

When progress lagged during the union’s negotiations with the school board in 2010, teachers
worked to the terms of their contract. Both sides settled on a pact three months later.